Aquatics Coaching Guide - Special Olympics

Teaching Aquatics Skills - Stroke Development
Stroke Development Training Plan
Training Session 8
190
Goal
1. To continue the fun of time-trial races where the swimmer only competes against him/herself and the clock.
Emphasis is on self-improvement of both time and technique.
2. To teach the swimmers the etiquette and protocols of a swimming competition and pre-race procedures.
Warm-Ups
Stretches
Dry Land Drills
Water Warm-Ups
Water Practice
Time-Trial 2
15-meter Freestyle
15-meter Backstroke
25-meter Freestyle
25-meter Backstroke
50-meter Freestyle*
50-meter Backstroke*
* If swimmers are at this standard, this event would replace the 15-meter swim for them.
Coaching Tips
Swimmers are only placed in events that meet their ability. Strict supervision of swimmers needs to be
maintained when an event finishes, not just until swimmers are at the end of the pool.
The most important aspects for time-trial sessions are that they be fun and promote enthusiasm. They should
be as nontechnical and noncompetitive as possible.
Use times from Time Trial 1 to seed events.
Emphasis should be placed on self-improvement in both times and technique. Records need to be kept and a
chart for each swimmer is encouraged, with a record given to each swimmer to take home.
Special Olympics Aquatics Coaching Guide
Created: February 2004